Speech And Deeds

Ἔχεις μὲν εὐφυῗαν, ὡς ἔμαθον, μανθάνειν σπουδαίως, καὶ λέγειν γενναίως. Ἡ δὲ τῆς πνευματικῆς πολιτείας ὁδὸς, πράξει μᾶλλον ἧ φράσει εὐοδοῦται. Εἰ τοίνυν μέλει σοι τῶν ἀκηράτων μισθῶν, τὸ λέγειν παλῶς παρὰ φαῦλον τιθέμενος, τὸ πράττειν χρηστῶς μεταδίωκε. Ἅγιος Ἰσίδωρος Του Πηλουσιώτου, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολή ΙΔ’ Πατριμῳ Μοναζοντι Source: Migne PG 78.188c-189a

I have learnt that you have an admirable disposition for diligent study and eloquent speech. But the way of the spiritual life is well travelled by action rather than speech. If, then, there is some care for the immortal reward in you, setting down speaking as inferior, pursue good deeds. Saint Isidore of Pelusium, Book 1, Letter 14, to Patrimos the Monk